A first on the season hit the Mavericks in their game Saturday night against Westminster College. After suffering a defeat against Westminster College (WC) by a final score of 75-56, it marked the first time all season Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) women’s basketball team lost back-to-back games.
The defense has been the team’s calling card to this point in the season, but the Mavericks surrendered 26 points in the first quarter and 20 in the third, creating a deficit that proved tough to overcome.
Jaylyn Duran scored a team-high 13 points, struggling from the floor, shooting 4-of-15 and 3-of-11 from beyond the arc. Karina Brandon was 5-of-9 from the field, scoring 13 points and securing seven rebounds. Ma’ata Epenisa chipped in 12 points and 5 rebounds.
Westminster shot 49.1 percent from the field, while CMU 37.9 percent. It’s the second game in a row where the Mavericks’ opponent shot close to 50 percent from the field.
Westminster had their largest lead in the fourth quarter when they led by 20 with 4:39 remaining.
WC received standout performances from Denise Gonzalez and Hunter Krebs. Gonzalez scored 29 points on 12-of-21 shooting, while Krebs added 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
Westminster was close to lights out from three-point range, shooting 10-of-17 (58.8 percent) and never trailed in the game.
The Mavericks will look to get back on track and take care of home court, where they sport an 8-3 record.
CMU will play in its final home games of the season when they take on Adams State University and Fort Lewis College on Friday and Saturday. Both games are set for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.
